Help the local economy recover by bringing your tourist dollars to countries and cities hit by hurricanes and earthquakes..
It's two years since Hurricane Katrina and then Rita slammed their fury into the Gulf Coast, breaking levees and wiping out people's homes and lives.
Tourism is almost back to normal in the New Orleans French Quarter, and casinos are busy again in Biloxi. The Port of New Orleans is coming back, too. Carnival Cruise Lines operates the 2,056 passenger Fantasy from New Orleans on a year-round schedule of four-day and five-day Caribbean cruises, and plans to add another "Fun Ship" soon.
The cruises visit Cozumel, wrecked by Hurricane Wilma, just atter Katrina and Rita. It took a year for the port to be able to welcome cruise ships again. Cozumel depends on tourism. As a fourth-generation Cozumel native told me, 'without tourists, nobody has work here'. Tour Mayan ruins and the crocodile pit at Punta Sur Ecological Park, enjoy a sunset.
Last week, Hurricane Dean wiped out Costa Maya, Mexico's fastest growing destination and cruise port. It could be a year before cruise ships can return, including the Carnival Fantasy. Costa Maya also depends on tourism. Hotels are open, beaches cleaned up. Visit and help the economy recover.
A 7.9 earthquake hit Ica, Peru on August 15 killed hundreds and destroyed the homes and businesses of thousands. Although the loss of life and property is terrible, the area is picking up the pieces. Less than two weeks after the quake, Ica is welcoming 300 attendees to a conference on agriculture at the Hotel las Dumas. Tourism is the #3 industry in Peru. So go. Visit the nearby city of Nasca and its world-famous and mysterious Nasca Lines, which were not damaged in the earthquake.
Visiting a region hard-hit by disaster, whether it is a hurricane or an earthquake, is one of the best ways to help its people get back to normal.
